sobrinos
/sobɾinos/from spelling rules
The phrase "niece and nephew" in Spanish is translated as sobrinos.
sobrinos is used to refer to the children of one's siblings.
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, the masculine plural sobrinos is used to refer to a mixed group of nieces and nephews.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular forms are gender-specific: sobrino refers to a single nephew and sobrina refers to a single niece.
How do you pronounce it?
/sobɾinos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking social circles, you might hear an older person call a group of young people sobrinos even if they are total strangers. It is a way of signaling a friendly, protective, and elder-like status toward the group.
- In traditional Spanish social etiquette, a sobrino might address an uncle or aunt using the formal usted rather than the informal tú to show respect, a distinction that has largely disappeared in English kinship terms.
- The word sobrino is occasionally used in certain Spanish-speaking communities to refer to a 'god-nephew', the child of a 'compadre' or 'comadre', blending spiritual and biological kinship.
Examples in context
- Mis sobrinos vendrán a visitarme mañana.My nephews/nieces will come to visit me tomorrow.
- ¿Cómo están tus sobrinos?How are your nieces and nephews?
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about their family at a cafe.
- MateoLucía, ¿viste las fotos de tus sobrinos?Lucía, did you see the photos of your nieces and nephews?
- LucíaSí, mis sobrinos son adorables.Yes, my nephews and nieces are adorable.
- MateoSe parecen mucho a ti.They look a lot like you.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo, eres muy amable.Thanks, Mateo, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
